Saturday 7 November 2009

Report: 2009 Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show

Early October, 2009 saw us once again visiting The Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.

Here are some of our highlights:
  • Coles - Major Sponsor
    It was great to see a major supermarket chain supporting the gluten free community with the largest exhibitor space and for stocking and promoting gluten free products.
    The goodie bag given free to all show attendees included a Gluten Free Recipe booklet from Coles that contains 8 recipes, some of which are egg, dairy and nut free.
    http://www.coles.com.au/

  • Kez's Free
    Kez's have an excellent range of treats (biscotti, biscuits and breads) all are gluten free and some are dairy free.
    These are quality products and available at Coles and independent supermarkets. I especially enjoy the Melting Moments and the Cranberry Biscotti (unfortunately I can't get these at Coles so must get them at health food shops) They are pricey which means they aren't something I can have every day.
    http://www.kezs.com.au/

  • Spring Hill Farm
    is a Victorian business specialising in gluten free treats including:
    • Rocky Road
    • Biscuits
    • Slices
    • Bread Mix
    The bread mix looks interesting as it is wheat free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free and soy free, but I am yet to try it out.
    http://www.springhillfarm.com.au/

  • Melinda's Gluten-free Goodies
    Melinda's have a range of slice, biscuit, muffin and brownie mixes that helpfully include dairy and egg-free options.
    Their latest release (August 2009) is a selection of water crackers, claimed to be Australias first gluten free water cracker.
    http://www.melindas.com.au/

  • Well and Good - Chocolate Mud Cake Mix
    We first saw this at last years show and couldn't walk past without trying out more of this great cake!!
    http://www.wellandgood.com.au/

  • Vitarium
    This show was the first time we had ever seen or heard of this new Australian company with an interesting range of gluten free products:
    • Pancake Mix
    • Fruit Cake Mix
    • Bread Mix
    • Macaroni & Cheese
    • Gelatine Free Jelly
    • Plain Flour
    • Self Raising Flour
    Unfortunately, the website lacks any ingredient lists. I will have to look out for the products in store to see what they contain.
    http://www.vitarium.com.au/

  • The Pastry Pantry
    The seemingly unstoppable Uncle Rick- Rick Grant was showcasing his latest venture in the gluten free market, ready rolled sheets of pastry in four flavours
    • Savoury Shortcrust
    • Sweet Shortcrust
    • Rough Puff
    • Rich Chocolate Shortcrust
    I have some of these in the freezer and will let you know how they go.
    As we passed Rick we heard several calls to Bring Back Uncle Rick. What do you say Rick??
    http://www.thepastrypantry.com.au/
    *** 2011 Update. Rick Grant is no longer involved with Pastry Pantry ***

  • Naturally Good- Deli Dippers
    These were delicious, crunchy, mini-bread-roll, savoury dippers that are great with dips and wine. (We should know, as we went home with several boxes.)
    The available flavours are:
    • Rosemary & extra virgin olive oil
    • Roasted garlic & herb
    • Sea Salt
    • Cracked Pepper
    http://www.naturallygoodproducts.com.au/ (Website still under construction - November 2009)Website live in Feb 2010

  • Tobie Puttock - Celebrity Cooking Stage
    Once again, we enjoyed watching Tobie cook some great dishes

  • Dr. Bob Anderson- Seminar Theatre
    We listened to an excellent presentation by Dr. Anderson from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute on Why do I feel better on a gluten free diet?
    Dr. Anderson is also the Chairman of the Coeliac Research Fund, which deserves plenty of our support.
    http://www.coeliacresearchfund.org/

Congratulations to the organisers on an excellent show!

Usual disclaimer, we have no connection with any of the producers listed. We look forward to seeing these products on local shelves and to next years show. See you there!

Friday 2 October 2009

Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show is held annually in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and we have attended each of the Melbourne events.

Originally created by Sue Shepherd, although now run by others, the show is a showcase for manufacturers and local distributors of gluten free products.

Highlights
For us, the highlights have been:
  • Discovering gluten free products that are about to hit the market or are already there, but we didn't know about.
  • Watching celebrity chefs creating great gluten free dishes.
  • Best of All: Sampling many of the products. From beer to bread, chocolate to ice cream. (Don't have a big lunch before going to this show!)
Show Schedule
  • Sydney 20-21 November, 2010
  • Brisbane 14-15 May, 2011
  • Melbourne 24-25 September, 2011
More information at http://www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au/

Our Show Reports

Saturday 3 January 2009

Report: 2008 Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show held over two days during October, 2008, no doubt, was a great success for the organiser Sue Shephard and her team. Congratulations Sue!!

We were there and here are some of the items that caught our eye and that we will be on the look out for in our local shops:
  • Lockton Farm Gourmet sausages
    These are a very nice looking range of gluten free and low fat sausages including: Italian Pork and Fennel, Pork Pumpkin and Leak (Not good for fructose malabsorption people), Chicken Spinach and Pinenut, and many more.
    Shop 13 66-74 Brice Terrace
    Mooroolbark, Ph 9727 3200
    www.locktonfarmgourmet.com.au

  • Healthy Feast Pies
    A range of nutritious delicious meals in a pie bursting with tantalising flavours
    Dairy & Egg Free, Gluten & Wheat Free, yeast Free, Preservative & Additive Free.

    • Australian Beef & Vegetable
    • Vegetable Tagine & Chicken Pie
    • Lentil & Potato Curry Pie

    Phone 02 9818 6333
    www.healthyfeast.com.au
    (Website under construction. Check back)

  • La maison de Patisserie - Gluten Free Pastry Sheets - Delivered!
    This is a business that produces pastry sheets that are gluten free, wheat free, soy free, dairy free, low in fat, preservative free which is delivered directly to your home!
    By the time we visited them they had sold out of stock. Word is that the chocolate pastry is delicious and that the savoury pastry is great for pizza bases.
    More info on their website at www.glutenfreepastry.com.au
    Haven't tried this yet, but it sounds like something that I need to have in my freezer.....Just in case.

  • Billabong Brewing - Gluten Free Beers
    Its great to see some more gluten free beers hitting the market. Billabong Brewing are based in Western Australia and produce a range of gf beers:
    • Australia's Pale Ale - 5.1% alc/vol
    • Blonde - 4.5% alc/vol
    • Ginger Beer - 4.5% alc/vol
    • Apple Beer - 5% alc/vol (No good for fructose malabsorption people)

    Phone: 08 9317 6099
    www.billabongbrewing.com.au

  • Well and Good - Chocolate Mud Cake Mix
    I shudder to think of how many samples of this one cake we had!! We tasted, then said: "Are you sure this is gluten free and dairy free??" Then we had to try another piece. (Repeat this cycle several times!)
    The mix is:
    • Gluten free
    • Wheat free
    • Dairy free (Apparently this mix was available in the past but did contain dairy)
    • Nut free
    • Soya free
    • Fructose free
    • No Trans fat
    • GMO free
    • No artifical colour
    • No artifical flavour

    This mix was not yet released at the time of the show but I have found some at Sunnybrook Healthfood shop. (December 2008)
    We might get to try some of their other products if we can stop eating this cake for 5 minutes.
    13 Tower Court
    Noble Park, VIC 3174
    Phone 9769 1515
    www.wellandgood.com.au

  • Tobie Puttock - Celebrity Cooking Stage
    We really enjoyed watching Tobie cook some great dishes from his latest book: "Italian Local"
    Thanks to Sue Shephard, Tobie is very aware of food allergies/intolerances and it is a joy to watch a professional at work. He made it all look very easy.
Congratulations again to Sue on a great show!

Usual disclaimer, we have no connection with Sue Shephard or any of the producers listed. We look forward to seeing these products on local shelves and to next years show. See you there!